A spinal bone spur will not always produce symptoms. In fact, many people develop these smooth, bony protuberances within the spine and never know it. Bone spurs, or osteophytes, are simply excess bone produced by the body, often in response to a reduction in joint stability. The joints of the spine, known as facet joints, begin to lose their stability as the cartilage lining them wears down over time. This process is known as osteoarthritis, which is considered a precursor to the development of bone spurs, and is most common among those in their mid-40s and older.

How a Spinal Bone Spur Produces Symptoms

While many bone spurs remain asymptomatic, some are located in spaces occupied by the spinal cord or nerve roots. Should an osteophyte make contact with a nerve structure in the spine, the resulting compression can produce the following symptoms:

* Pain at the site of nerve compression
* Pain that shoots along the length of a compressed nerve
* Numbness or tingling in areas innervated by the affected nerve
* Weakness in the associated muscle groups

The area or areas of the body affected by symptoms will depend on the location within the spine of the nerve compression. Bone spur development is most common in the lumbar (lower back) region, where the vertebrae are subjected to a great deal of stress-inducing movement and must bear the weight of the upper body. The flexible neck (cervical) region also is a common site for osteophytes. Compression in the lower back may affect the longest nerve in the body, the sciatic nerve. If so, the symptoms are known as sciatica and can be felt in the lower back, the buttocks, the legs, the feet, and/or the toes. Compression in the neck can produce symptoms in the head, upper back, the arms, the hands, and the fingers.

Non-Surgical Treatment for Bone Spur Symptoms

About 90 percent of patients with spinal bone spur symptoms find they are able to manage the pain, tingling, etc., using a regimen of conservative (non-surgical) treatment. These treatment methods can include:

* Over-the-counter, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
* Prescription strength narcotics
* Neck or back strengthening exercises
* Low-impact exercise, such as walking or swimming
* Behavior and posture modification
* Applications of heating elements or ice packs
* Injections of inflammation-reducing corticosteroid compounds

Because no two cases are alike, management of bone spur symptoms may require a period of trial and error as the patient and doctor work together to find the right combination of conservative treatment methods.

When to Consider Surgery

Although most patients will be able to manage their bone spur symptoms with conservative treatments, others may find that they must resort to surgery for meaningful relief. There is no definitive rule of thumb for when surgery becomes an option, unless a rare emergency situation like cauda equina syndrome presents itself, requiring immediate surgery. In general, if symptoms continue to severely interfere with quality of life after several weeks or months of conservative treatment, it may be time to start researching the different options available for elective surgery. In addition to making sure to exhaust all conservative treatment methods, patients considering surgery would do well to seek a second or even a third opinion before making a decision.